Prague CASTLE

On our second full day in Prague we went on another walking tour, this time focused on the Prague Castle and Castle District. We began at the Josef Manes Bridge (the first downstream bridge from the Charles) named for the famous painter. His famous Czech paintings includes many landscapes of the bridge and the scenery across the river. We proceeded by tram across the river and up to the castle to spend a few hours on a walking tour exploring the grounds and the famous buildings build over centuries, built in many different styles by rulers and artists of the day. We also saw the castle and the changing of the guard and got wonderful views back of the Old City skyline. Some of the places that we visited included:

Strahov (guard) Monastery and library: founded in 1143 at a site where guards stood watch and formed when a community of monks from Steinfeld in the Rhine Valley settled at Strahov. One of the oldest and most important monasteries in the Czech Republic, the Romanesque Basilica built in the 12th century and was one of Europe’s most extensive Romanesque buildings at the time and became a center of knowledge and spiritual life, with a Baroque library (see photo). Many prominent Czech scholars and intellectuals studied and worked there. It has also been the site of many important historical events, including the Velvet Revolution in 1989 (see yesterdays’ posting). In addition to the Gothic and Classical styles, there are Baroque style elements (ornate decoration, curved lines, and dramatic lighting) in the monastery’s design.

St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest and the most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here. The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops. The precious Bohemian crown jewels, including the St. Wenceslas crown, royal scepter, and coronation cloak, are safely stored inside a chamber in St. Vitus Cathedral. NOTE: To ensure their safety, the chamber door and iron safe have seven locks, each held by a different key holder, such as the president and prime minister. Accessing the jewels requires the presence of all key holders, and only the president can authorize their public exhibition, which happens only on special occasions. The centerpiece of the cathedral is Alphonse Mucha's masterful 1931 Art Nouveau window depicting the saints Methodius and Cyril, widely considered the fathers of Slavic-style Christianity. The historic heart of the church is the fancy Wenceslas Chapel. St. Wenceslas, patron saint of the Czech nation united the Czech people back in the 10th century, developed art and culture here, and made Prague's castle a center of Czech government and he remains a icon of Czech unity whenever the nation has to rally.

Hradčanské Square consists of several historical houses and palaces. It is connected to the castle courtyards. The Prague Castle (actually a collection of palaces, churches and gardens) is the largest castle complex not only in the Czech Republic, but anywhere in the world covering approximately 110 acres (according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world still in use). The castle (a UNESCO World Heritage site) was formerly the seat of the kings of Bohemia for over 1000 years and is currently the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic. Prague Castle was founded around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty Prague is one of Europe's best-preserved cities, spared from any bombings.

The castle has a 1,500-foot-long series of courtyards, churches, and palaces. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938). Prague Castle is home to four churches: St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, All Saints Church, and the Holy Cross Chapel. All four churches are paired with four palaces - the Old Royal Palace, Belvedere, Lobkowicz, and New Royal Palace. These palaces, constructed one after the other over centuries, are quite majestic and tied to religious power.

The alchemical secrets of Prague Castle were important during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II in the late 16th century, Prague Castle became a hub of alchemy, astrology, and occult sciences. The emperor invited alchemists to uncover the secrets of transmutation and eternal life. Hidden chambers, cryptic symbols, and legends of the Golem add layers of intrigue, making the castle not just a royal seat but a center of mystical experimentation and mystery.Meer informatie